Walgreens and Greater Than AIDS teams on free testing for 7th straight year

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens and Greater Than AIDS, a leading national public information response to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic, are teaming up for the seventh straight year with health departments and local AIDS service organizations to offer free HIV testing and counseling about prevention strategies, including Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, as part of a National HIV Testing Day effort.

“We know more about preventing and treating HIV than ever before,” stated Tina Hoff, SVP and director, health communication and media partnerships, Kaiser Family Foundation, which directs Greater Than AIDS. “The first step is knowing your status. This collaboration normalizes HIV testing as part of everyday life, while educating communities about the latest advances.”

Testing will be available at more than 220 participating Walgreens stores in 130 cities, including Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New Orleans and Memphis, among other cities, on June 27 and 28 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (local time) both days. Results are provided on site by trained counselors. Alere North America, bioLytical Laboratories and OraSure have donated test kits for the activation.

PrEP, a medication available by prescription, offers another effective means of protection for those without HIV. In addition, antiretrovirals, the medications used to treat HIV in addition to improving health, are now known to help stop the spread of the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends HIV testing as part of routine health care.

“With early diagnosis and treatment, someone with HIV can live a healthy normal lifespan,” said Glen Pietrandoni, senior director of virology at Walgreens. “It’s very important to take control of your health by getting a test and learning your status. Results are provided within minutes, on-site by trained counselors.”

Amneal’s Zetia generic gets launch

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Amneal Pharmaceuticals on Thursday announced the introduction of its generic of Zetia (ezetimibe) tablets.

Amneal’s generic will be available in 10-mg dosage strength. The company is distributing the generic in 30-, 90- and 500-count bottle sizes, and has begun shipping the product from its Kentucky distribution center.

Zetia had annual U.S. sales of approximately $2.7 billion for the 12 months ended April 2017, according to QunitilesIMS data.

Bartell Drugs, Kaiser Permanente open 13th CareClinic

SEATTLE — Another CareClinic by Kaiser Permanente has opened at Bartell Drugs, the health system announced Thursday. The clinic, which is now open to Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula residents, marks the 13th clinic that Bartell Drugs and Kaiser Permanente operate.

“Patients come to our CareClinics for quality and convenient care,” said Kaiser Permanente clinician Michael Erickson, CareClinic chief. “We’ve proven that CareClinics live up to the promise of quickly diagnosing and treating common ailments. We get you in, taken care of and on your way for an affordable price.”

Kaiser Permanente said that visits cost $75 for patients without health coverage, or a patient can bill their insurance plan. Members of Kaiser Permanente have their visit information included in their electronic health record to allow for more coordinated care, and records can be shared with a patient’s primary care physician if they are non-members.

The new CareClinic will offer services seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Kaiser Permanente said it plans to add two more clinics by the end of the year at Bartell Drugs stores in Snoqualmie Ridge and Redmond Town Center.

“Bartell Drugs guests have told us they want the ability to get care and treatment as well as everyday necessities in one place,” Bartelll Drugs’ director of CareClinic operations, John Lewis said. “That’s why we’re so excited to continue our expansion in order to offer our services to more communities around the region.”

As part of a panel at the recent Drug Store News Industry Issues Summit, officials from Walmart and Kroger shared the ways the two organizations go about taking a collaborative approach to health care.

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